D-Day Beaches Cycle Tour

A luxurious 2 day tour on bicycles, visiting the D-Day Landing Beaches and Cemeteries staying in hand-picked hotels and Chateaux.

ROAD BIKE TOURING WITH RARA

Cycling through peaceful countryside and along the coast, it is hard to imagine the ravages of war. Cemeteries, memorials, museums and the remnants of bunkers are constant reminders of the tragic loss of lives, the battle that raged here in 1944 and the effort of thousands of Allied soldiers to penetrate the Nazi barrier and begin the Liberation of Europe. We will visit the D-Day landing beaches of Omaha and Aromanches, the American and Commonwealth cemeteries. We will stay in period houses and chateaux and dine in local restaurants savouring the best of the French local cuisine and wine. The first day of this 3 day tour is optional should you want to include a visit to the Bayeaux Tapestry.

Day 1
Bayeaux Tapestry visit

Depending on how you travel to France we will either meet you at the hotel in Bayeaux or we will arrange a transfer for you from Paris or Caen. You will have access to your hotel room from 1530. After you have checked into your rooms and had a chance to freshen up, we will then visit the Bayeaux Tapestry, which chronicles the event of the Normans' invasion of England in 1066 under William the Conqueror.

Day 2
Bayeaux - Port en Besin 30km

As there is so much do and see, breakfast will be between 0800-0900. On Saturday there is a wonderful market selling lots of fresh local produce, so between 0900-1000 while your breakfast is settling we will wander around the market and buy some of the produce for the picnic that we will eat later for lunch.

We will check out of the hotel and load up our van with all your belongings to be transported to the chateau where we will be staying later. Your bikes will be waiting for you outside the hotel and the tour will begin at 1030.

As we leave Bayeaux you will notice that the street names are a constant reminder of war and military figures. The Monument de la Liberation which we pass commemorates D-Day and General de Gaulle's visit to Bayeaux. Our first stop is a short visit to the 18th century botanical gardens. From here we will experience tree lined roads, farms and tiny villages on the serene ride that leads us to Omaha Beach the site of one of D-Days fiercest battles. After absorbing the ambience of Omaha beach we will ride to the American Military Cemetery to visit the graves of the 9,386 men who sacrificed their lives to liberate Europe.

Our last port of call is Port-en-Bessin the tiny old fishing village tucked in a hollow between coastal cliffs. Tonight's accommodation is the stunning 4* Chateau Cheneviere.

Day 3
Port en Bessin - Bayeaux 27km

After enjoying your breakfast in the wonderful grounds of the chateau the bike tour will start again at 1000, heading towards Aromanches Beach. At Aromanches we will visit the Debarquement Musuem and the 360 Cinema where there is an option to watch a short film about D-Day.

After lunch we start the last leg of our bicycle tour, which includes a visit to the Commonwealth Cemetery before arriving back in Bayeaux where the tour concludes about 1700. On request, we can book accommodation and recommend a restaurant for the 3rd evening of the tour.

RARA ON TOUR SERVICE

RocknRoll Adventures' service will leave you confident that all the practicalities of your holiday have been entrusted to safe hands. Your booking will be managed by a dedicated member of the team to ensure you have one point of contact at RARA, and so receive the best possible service.

With our On Tour service you can offload your luggage to us safe in the knowledge that it will be waiting for you at the hotel. RARA will book your accommodation with evening meals included. All that is left for you to do is settle into the saddle and enjoy the scenery.